Singapore retail sales, seasonally adjusted, fell 1.3 per cent in October over the previous month on lower sales of cars and other vehicles.

Excluding motor vehicles, which saw sales fall 7.7 per cent from September, retail sales increased 0.3 per cent on a monthly basis, the Department of Statistics said on Monday.

When compared to the same month last year, retail sales increased 8.1 per cent in October. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales rose 1.9 per cent over October 2013.

The total retail sales value in October this year is estimated at $3.2 billion, higher than the $3.0 billion in October 2013.

Sales of food & beverage services increased 1.4 per cent in October over the previous month and 1.2 per cent over October 2013.

The total sales value of food & beverage services in October 2014 was estimated at $639 million, higher than the $631 million in October 2013.

The October retail sales of petrol service stations, watches & jewellery, furniture & household equipment, medical goods & toiletries, wearing apparel & footwear and recreational goods declined over the previous month.

On the other hand, retail sales of telecommunications apparatus & computers increased 17.3 per cent due to a surge in sales of newly launched mobile phones. Sales of optical goods & books, food & beverages, supermarkets and department stores increased between 0.3 per cent and 2.2 per cent compared to the previous month.